Most Trade Paperbacks (TPBs) don't hold a special place in the hearts of comic book collectors. They're stories collected in book format which means they're reprints. If you're not into collecting and just in it for the story then a TPB is one of the greatest things to ever happen to comic books. You don't have to go searching for old copies to complete the story. TPBs are great for learning about new characters or to get reacquainted with some of your old favourites. The TPBs do have a few drawbacks. Some of the charm of comic books are the letters to the editor, extra stories at the end which are usually a two or three page story for an upcoming book, and in the old comics you got those great advertisements. You won't get variant covers or fancy holograms either.
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As you probably know (if you are a regular reader of Full Page Bleed, you are HARDCORE with this stuff), the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 movie is JUST about ready to hit theaters all over the world, and the world (scratch that)...the UNIVERSE is ready. Or is it?
There’s a whole lot of new characters and developments about to be unleashed on us in this movie, so we need to be properly prepared for the onslaught. Every so often I do some rigorous research and put together a little must-read guide...just to get everyone caught up to speed and fully aware of what is in store in the latest big superhero blockbuster or TV show.
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Well, NOW are we excited? Those of us in the “geek community” got a huge reveal this week as we FINALLY got a peep at Tom Holland as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man this week! And while there was a bit of the inevitable negativity among some (mostly about the slight changes to Spidey’s classic costume), generally people everywhere are excited for this movie and to see the wall-crawler back home!
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I just this week finished the final chapter of Marvel’s Secret Wars event, which ended an era for the Marvel Universe and opened a new one, an ALL-NEW ALL DIFFERENT one.
I’m a lifelong Marvel Comics reader...and no matter what they do to their characters and stories, I’m going to remain that way. After all is said and done, I’m a lifer. And boy, are things different than just 10 years ago. Some good changes, some bad ones...but evolution has always been a key element to Marvel and its characters. Change isn’t a bad thing. But now, in the Marvel Movie Era, the movies now impact those changes.
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In 2005, 20th Century Fox took a stab at making a live-action film based on the first family of Marvel Comics, the Fantastic Four, while the movie made money and Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis had great performances, it wasn’t the film that fans had hoped for. Two years later, a sequel was made and not even the presence of the Silver Surfer could have saved that film. Years later a reboot of the popular foursome was announced with Josh Trank, director of the unexpected hit Chronicle, in the director’s chair and a cast full of young and capable actors. Needless to say, fans were intrigued and excited. Would the third time be the charm for this franchise? To be honest, HELL NO. This movie is boring, poorly paced, overly dark for no reason, and contains a climax that’s out of place and just plain puzzling.
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When Super Heroes -- play POKER !! Ante Up !! It happened in Marvel Two - In - One # 51 , cover dated May of 1979. It is called : " Full House -- Dragon's High !" It was written by Peter Gillis , and penciled by none other than Frank Miller !! George Perez and Joe Sinnott turn in a beautiful cover.
There have been stories about Ben " The Thing " Grimm's floating poker games . This is where they began. There are several guest stars in this issue , as the Thing arrives at Avengers Mansion to play poker. His table mates are -- The Beast , Wonder Man , Ms. Marvel, (The Carol Danvers version) Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. , D.A. Blake Tower, and Edwin Jarvis, the Avengers butler, and all round right hand man. There is an amusing scene as the Thing tells Wonder Man to " Take the " Cheaters" off !!" Wonder Man does so, revealing that he is made up of ionic energy, and has no conventional eyes. The Thing decides to allow Wonder Man his shades.
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Friendly Neighborhood
Spider-Dads
Dads are renowned in comic books for being the bearers of advice – be it good or bad – and shaping the worldview of our favorite superheroes.
They are often integral to the extended mythology of the characters and help develop their moral center, imparting the values that make or break their sons and daughters. No one can deny the influence that fathers have, not only on superheroes, but on each and every one of us.
We often aspire to be like them – or to be liked by them. Dad’s have the mysterious power to command the best from us while giving us a figure to look up to. We’re all familiar with the story of the young boy who only wants his deeds to be seen as worthy in his father’s eyes and I think it’s something most of us can say we’ve experienced in some point in our lives.
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